Harley links up with Scotland

Rob Harley, the 23-year-old Glasgow Warriors forward, has joined the Scotland squad on their tour of South Africa.

Rob Harley, the 23-year-old Glasgow Warriors forward, has joined the Scotland squad on their tour of South Africa.

Harley will leave from Glasgow on Monday and is due to arrive in Johannesburg on Tuesday afternoon. Scotland complete their programme in the quadrangular tournament with a match against Italy in Pretoria on Saturday.

Harley, who made a try-scoring debut on last year's tour to Australasia, has won four caps, his most recent outing occurring against Wales in the Six Nations Championship back in March.

"In light of the injury sustained by Ryan Wilson in Nelspruit which ended his tour and the fact that we were already down in the back-row following the injury departure of Kelly Brown the previous week, we've decided to call on Rob," said Scotland team manager Gavin Scott.

"It's amazing to be called-up to the Scotland tour," said Rob Harley.

"I came in last week for pre-season training with Glasgow and wasn't expecting to get the call so it's a bit of a shock but very exciting.

"I've never been out to South Africa before so it'll be good to go over there and hopefully I'll be able to make the squad for the game on Saturday.

"The game against Italy in the Six Nations was my first start for Scotland so I know a little about them but I'm sure it'll be a different game over in South Africa with different conditions.

"I'm excited about the challenge and I hope I get the chance to show what I can do."

Harley is the fourth Glasgow Warriors forward to be added to the tour party since they arrived in South Africa, joining Jon Welsh, Fraser Brown and Gordon Reid.

Scotland have also released lock Jim Hamilton to return home. Hamilton's wife is expecting their second child and he agreed pre-tour with head coach Scott Johnson on his departure at this juncture.